What kind of paint can I use tthe stains on popcorn ceiling

You need to use an oil based or shellac based primer and then top coat with your ceiling paint.

Oil base paint stain block. e.g. kilz

For stains on a popcorn ceiling, it’s very important to use the right type of paint, otherwise the stains will bleed back through. What to Use (Best Options): You need a stain-blocking primer, not regular ceiling paint. Top choices: -Oil-based stain-blocking primer (best overall) -Shellac-based primer (excellent for heavy water or smoke stains) These products seal the stain before any finish paint goes on. Examples: -Zinsser B-I-N (shellac-based) -Zinsser Cover Stain (oil-based) -KILZ Original (oil-based) Regular latex ceiling paint will not block stains — they almost always bleed through. How to Apply (Important for Popcorn Ceilings) Spray application is best to avoid knocking down texture If rolling is required, use a very light touch and a thick nap roller Spot-prime stains first, then repaint the full ceiling if needed Finish Coat: After priming, apply a flat white ceiling paint (latex is fine at this stage).

Use a sealer/primer like Kilz. They carry a variety of sealers and primers specific to issues like water stains or mold.

To cover stains on a popcorn ceiling (especially common water stains), use a stain-blocking primer first to prevent bleed-through, followed by a topcoat of paint. Use an oil-based or shellac-based stain-blocking primer (e.g., Kilz Original, Zinsser Cover Stain, or Zinsser BIN). Once the primer is dry, apply a flat (matte) acrylic-latex ceiling paint.

Oil based and shellac primer

When dealing with stains it's always important to assess the extent of the damage before repairing. Repainting over the surface with an oil based paint can prevent stains from bleeding into the top coat but if the problem hasn't been resolved then it can lead to future problems such as delamination of the textured surface from the drywall. When repairing textured ceilings the first step is to determine whether the ceiling has been painted or not. You can check this by touching the texture with a dark cloth; non painted texture will leave a chalky residue and the texture will want to come off the surface with gentle abrasion. Previously painted textured ceilings are simpler to paint since the texture has been set to the surface with a primer and it has been properly adhered to the drywall. Rolling paint directly onto unpainted texture can result in the removal of texture, as it becomes rehydrated, so applying primer with a sprayer is always recommended. For covering small stains on non painted texture use a spray can of white pigment shellac or an oil based primer. For previously painted surfaces you can use a brush or roller for applying paint without the worry of damaging the texture surface. For situations where extended water damage has impacted the integrity of the drywall, softened and water logged, I always recommend replacing the affected area with new drywall since that can contribute to the growth of mold. I hope you found this helpful and if you have any questions feel free to post them on this forum. I'm happy to provide homeowners, not just customers, with the solutions they need.

The best way to cover stains on a popcorn ceiling is to start with a stain-blocking primer. Look for a high-quality oil-based or shellac-based primer designed to seal water or smoke stains. Once the primer is dry, you can paint over it with a flat or ceiling-specific latex paint. Avoid skipping the primer because regular paint often won’t fully hide the stains and they can bleed through over time. If the ceiling is textured, use a roller with a thick nap or a sprayer to get full coverage without flattening the popcorn texture.